CHAPTER TWENTY
" K eep calm," Alexandra said quietly.
"I will be as calm as is warranted," Nicholas growled under his breath.
The wind tugged at Alexandra’s cloak as she stood atop the battlements, eyes fixed on Leo on horseback below. Her heart fluttered like a trapped bird in her chest, nervous for what was to come.
She didn’t want blood spilled because of her—not Nicholas, not Charlie, not anyone. The weight of it all pressed on her shoulders, heavy and cold.
Laird McLaren, Leo Rankin, sat atop a dark horse flanked by two riders bearing a white flag. The rest of his men had remained further back, clustered in formation like wolves waiting to strike.
She watched Leo. His age of thirty-five made him sharp and fit, and ever sure of himself. He wore his usual smirk, lips curled in arrogance. He was handsome in a cold, calculated way—but he held none of Nicholas’s quiet fire.
His brown hair was slicked back, and his black eyes scanned the walls like a man looking for prey, not parley. Alexandra could feel the chill of his stare even from the height of the wall.
She had once thought him handsome before she learned what truly lay behind that smile. Now all she saw was cruelty veiled in civility.
Leo raised his voice, letting it carry over the field. “Laird O’Donnell!” he shouted. “I hear ye’ve somethin’ that belongs to me. Hand her over, and we’ll keep the peace between us.”
Nicholas stepped to the edge of the battlement, his presence solid and unmoving. “Ye’re on me land, Rankin,” he growled. “Mind yer tongue. How dare ye speak orders to me.” His voice rang out, sure and firm, a shield against the tension below.
Leo threw back his head and laughed, as though they were jesting over drinks instead of standing at the brink of war.
Leo’s expression sharpened as he leaned forward in his saddle. “I’ll nae leave, unless the lass comes with me. If ye keep her, O’Donnell, I’ll see this castle burn stone by stone.”
A murmur passed along the wall behind her, the sound of steel being touched, bows being drawn. Nicholas turned sharply, his hand catching.
Alexandra’s hands clenched at her sides. She stepped forward and called out, “I’m here. If it’s me ye want. I’ll come out to speak with ye, but in peace.”
She felt her arm grasped in a firm grip. “Ye’re nae goin’ anywhere,” Nicholas said, voice low. “Ye daenae ken what he’s capable of.”
“I do,” she replied, holding his gaze. “That’s why I must go. Let me speak with him. It’s the only way to keep Charlie safe.”
Nicholas’s jaw tightened, his eyes shadowed with conflict. “Then I’m goin’ with ye,” he said, no room for argument in his tone. “I’ll nae let ye face him alone.”
He turned toward the nearest guard. “Open the small side gate,” he commanded. “Bring a small escort—four men, nay more. Keep the archers trained on Leo. If he so much as twitches wrong, I want arrows in him.”
The guard saluted and ran off down the stairs. Alexandra let out a shaky breath and nodded. She didn’t look forward to seeing Leo up close, but she would not let fear rule her. She had to be braver than that—for Nicholas, for Charlie, for herself.
Moments later, they descended from the wall and passed through the tight stone corridor leading to the side door. Nicholas stayed at her side, silent and seething. He hadn’t let go of her arm until they reached the gate. Even then, he walked close enough to shield her from sight with his body.
The door creaked open, and the sun hit them full in the face as they stepped out. Guards took position behind, spreading out just enough to give cover if needed. Arrows gleamed from the battlements above, their deadly tips aimed at Leo and his men.
Alexandra kept her chin high, not letting her fear show as they walked to the meeting point.
Leo dismounted and strode forward a few paces, stopping when Nicholas raised a hand. “Nay further,” Nicholas warned. “Speak where ye stand.”
Leo’s dark eyes flicked over Alexandra, a gleam of possession in them. “Ye look well, lass,” he said, voice full of mock warmth. “Come with me, and we’ll end this foolish standoff.”
Alexandra stepped ahead of Nicholas, just enough to be seen clearly. “I’ll speak with ye, Leo,” she said, her tone calm and steady. “But I’m nae yers, and I never was. So, choose yer words careful.”
Leo’s black eyes flicked over her like a man inspecting cattle. “Ye made a promise, lass,” he said, voice cold and sharp. “Yer brother pledged ye to me, and I’ve come to claim what’s mine.”
His hand rested on the hilt of his sword like it was habit, not threat—but Alexandra felt the meaning all the same.
She lifted her chin, every part of her aching with dread.
“Aye, I ken what was promised,” she said, her voice steady. “But I’ll nae go with ye unless ye swear—swear that neither Nicholas nor me brother will face harm. Nay battles, nay revenge.”
Leo’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “Swear?” he echoed with a chuckle. “Ye think I owe ye promises? I owe nothin’ to the folk who stole what’s mine and kept ye hid behind stone walls like a prized beast.”
His gaze shifted briefly to Nicholas, then back to her with menace. Alexandra felt Nicholas shift beside her and give a low grunt. She held her breath knowing he could snap at any moment.
“Then I’ll nae go,” she said plainly. “I’ll nae walk to yer side like a lamb without yer word.”
He scoffed, amused, then stepped closer, only a pace away now. “Ye’re brave all of a sudden,” he said. “But bravery willnae shield the men standin’ at yer back when I set fire to their walls. Go quietly, and I may leave this place untouched…for now.”
She looked into his face, searching for any truth behind the cruelty. “That’s nae a promise,” she said. “I want yer word, Leo. Give it, or I stay.”
For a moment, he seemed to weigh her words, then gave a slow shake of his head.
“I’ll nae be held hostage by the demands of a woman,” he said. “I take what’s mine, and that includes ye, whether ye walk or I drag ye.” His voice dropped lower. “Make it easy, lass.”
Alexandra felt Nicholas step forward beside her, the quiet tension of a storm held at bay. His breath grew heavier, and though he said nothing, she could feel the anger rolling off him like heat as his breathing grew heavier.
She turned over her shoulder and whispered to him, "Think of Charlie." She saw Nicholas’ stern brow soften for a moment, but she knew it would only last a few moments.
He was holding himself back—for Charlie.
She straightened her shoulders, speaking once more. “If ye willnae promise, then I’ll nae move a step. Kill me if ye must, but I’ll nae be yer bride under threat.” Her voice rang clear, loud enough for even the men on the wall to hear. “I’d rather die free than live in chains.”
Leo’s smirk faltered, his brows narrowing in frustration. “Ye think ye’ve power here,” he muttered. “But once ye’re mine, ye’ll learn. I always get what I’m owed.”
Alexandra’s eyes didn’t waver. “Then take me by force and show the world what kind of laird ye are,” she said.
"A pathetic laird that cannae persuade a woman to marry him unless he threatens her family," Nicholas said.
Alexandra saw the rage in Leo's eyes as he stepped forward, hand on hilt.
"Ye've a lot of nerve sayin’ that, O’Donnell, since ye abducted a woman and keep her against her will," he sneered.
"And yet I've already tasted what's yers," Nicholas said.
"Enough!" Alexandra shouted.
Leo’s jaw worked as he studied her, torn between fury and grudging respect.
“Ye’d really stay here and doom them all?” he asked. “All for a promise I daenae have to give?” His tone dripped disbelief.
“Aye,” she answered without pause. “Because I’ve seen what happens when men like ye rule unchecked.”
Leo’s cold eyes flicked from Alexandra to Nicholas, then back again. His smirk faded into something more calculating, more contained.
“Fine,” he said, voice low and tight. “I promise—there’ll be nay retribution against O’Donnell or yer brother, so long as ye come now, peaceful.”
Alexandra’s breath caught in her throat. She stared at him for a long moment, heart thudding, then gave a slight nod. “Then I’ll go with ye,” she said. “Peacefully.”
“Nay!” Nicholas barked, stepping forward, his voice loud as thunder. “Ye cannae go, lass!” His eyes blazed as they met hers. “Ye think he’ll keep his word? He’s a snake in a man’s skin!”
“I must,” Alexandra whispered, though her voice trembled. “It’s the only way to keep ye all safe.”
She took a slow step toward Leo, but before she could take another, Nicholas grabbed her arm and turned her toward him.
Then a sharp voice pierced the air. “Stop!”
All heads turned. Alexandra’s eyes widened as Erica burst out of the gate door, skirts flying, her face pale as new snow. She ran toward them with urgency, her eyes locked not on Alexandra—but on Leo.
“Erica?” Alexandra said, stunned. “What are ye?—?”
Erica stopped between Alexandra and Leo, planting herself firmly like a shield. Her breath came fast, but her eyes were steady.
“Brother,” she said flatly.
Everyone froze.
Nicholas stared, stunned.
Alexandra’s mouth fell open, the word brother echoing in her ears. “Brother?” she whispered, looking between them.
Leo blinked, taken aback. “What foolishness is this?” he growled.
“Aye, it's me yer long-lost sister,” Erica said, standing tall.
Alexandra watched as Leo's eyes widened.
“I had to flee because ye killed our parents when ye were but a lad. Drove yer blade into Da’s gut and let Mother bleed out beside him.”
“Ye’re mad,” Leo spat. “Ye’ve nay proof of such lies. Me sister died long ago.”
“Nay, I am alive. I was just a bairn when I escaped.” Erica said, her voice quieter now, but no less steady. “A guard—Ewan—he saw what ye did. He pulled me from the manor that night, and I was raised far from home as a maid’s daughter. I’ve lived in hidin’ ever since.”
Alexandra’s heart pounded. She looked at Erica, truly looked, and saw the resemblance now—the same arch of the brow, the same sharp cheekbones, though softened by kindness.
“Why did ye never tell me?” she whispered.
Erica glanced at her but didn’t answer. She turned her attention back to Leo.
“Ye used to sneak into the wine cellar and pour yer cup into the flower vase when Da made us drink to guests,” she said. “Ye hated the taste, but ye were too proud to say so.”
Leo stared, unmoving. A flicker passed through his eyes—recognition, maybe even doubt. “Only Da and I knew that,” he said, voice low.
“And me,” Erica replied. “I was always watchin’. Always listenin’. Ye never noticed me enough to ken I watched ye closely.”
Silence fell, thick and heavy. Alexandra’s breath felt trapped in her lungs. Leo looked like a man struck between disbelief and a haunting memory.
“But… ye died,” he said, almost questioning now.
“I lived,” she said coldly. “And I’ve waited years to see ye again. I prayed I’d never have to, but here we are.”
Alexandra looked at Nicholas, whose gaze stayed locked on Erica, as if seeing her for the first time. The guards held still on the walls, arrows aimed, but uncertain. Nothing about the moment called for war now—only truth.
Alexandra stood frozen, heart thudding, as Leo’s expression shifted from disbelief to something darker. His mouth moved, but no sound came at first, as if the truth struck too deep.
Then his jaw tightened, eyes burning as he looked Erica over with growing rage. “Ye should’ve come forward years ago,” he snarled, voice rough.
Erica stood her ground, chin high. “Aye? And let ye finish what ye started? Ye would have killed me same as our parents,” she snapped. “Ye’re a monster, Leo. I’d rather rot in silence than breathe under yer shadow.”
Leo’s laugh rang cold and cruel through the courtyard, sharp as a blade.
“All this time hidin’ like a rat, ye should’ve be at McLaren castle. I own ye. Sisters are for marryin’ off to make alliances and make our clan stronger. Ye have robbed me of that advantage all these years!" Leo shouted.
Erica didn’t flinch. Her voice was clear, hard as stone. “I’ll go with ye now, Leo. If ye leave Alexandra be—ye never speak her name again, never lay a hand on her.”
Alexandra’s breath caught, eyes wide. She reached out, hand trembling. “Erica—nay,” she whispered. “Ye cannae do this.”
But Erica turned, her face suddenly softer, eyes shining with regret. “I lied to ye, Alexandra,” she said quietly. “I should’ve told ye who I truly was… but I wanted to be someone else, someone nae tied to him.” Her voice cracked. “Forgive me.”
Leo chuckled again, the sound low and full of menace. “Oh, I agree,” he hissed, stepping forward. “Ye’ll come with me… and I’ll enjoy breakin’ ye down, piece by piece.” His eyes gleamed with a promise of cruelty that turned Alexandra’s stomach.
Erica didn’t look back at him—she kept her eyes on Alexandra. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “But this is the only way. Be safe… and take care of yer brother.”
Then she walked to Leo, each step steady despite the storm behind her eyes. Alexandra tried to speak, to move, but the words lodged in her throat. All she could do was watch as Erica disappeared beside the man who’d stolen everything from her.
She saw Leo give Nicholas one last smirk, full of mockery and victory, before turning with Erica at his side.
"But…"Alexandra said. “Nay, stop. This is?—”
But Nicholas grabbed her arm and pulled her back toward the gate. She looked back over her shoulder. She locked eyes with Erica. She saw tears streaming down her maid’s cheeks.
She saw her maid’s lips move as she silently mouthed, I’m sorry .
The moment pierced Alexandra’s heart like an arrow.
Nicholas continued to drag her inside the side door of the gate.
The doors closed behind them with a final clang, and Alexandra stood trembling, unable to hold back the tears.